11535/Almost Time

Almost Time
Date of Scene:	10 June 2022
Location:	Carter-Sousa Home - Long Island
Synopsis:	Peggy has a nightmare and she and Daniel both realize it won't be long before they have another cause for sleepless nights.
Cast of Characters:	Peggy Carter, Daniel Sousa

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Peggy Carter has posed:
People talk about the glow of pregnancy, the nesting instinct, all the happy, cute maternity clothes, and conveinently ignore all the misery. Especially at the end. Peggy managed to fall asleep about an hour ago, after much tossing and turning, readjusting of pillows, and probably keeping him horribly awake. Finally, though, she settled. And then the dreams come. Sometimes it's framework, sometimes it's back in the 50s. Usually it's never good. Her imagination has been horribly active.

Now she's stirring again. Restless and uncomfortable, body covered in a cold sweat as her breath comes a bit quicker and she tries to roll over in her pillows. Instead of stealing all the sheets, she's violently tossed them off, onto Daniel, like she was ridding herself of restraints.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel had grown accustomed to the restlessness, that he could sleep through but when the pile of covers come his way, he knows something's wrong. He wakes, reaching out for Peggy as he sits up. "Shhh, Peg it's okay, you're home, you're safe," he tells her leaning in close enough for a hug if she'll let him, getting close enough to let her smell his scent, remembering they'd gotten it wrong in Framework 2.0.

Peggy Carter has posed:
The hug might be a mistake. He's suddenly getting an elbow to the ribs and only the angle saves him from maybe actually cracking one. But as Peggy struggles against him, her breath coming even quicker, the scent of him does manage to trickle through the panic of her mind. That's not right. That isn't who is holding her.

A moment later, her eyes jerk open with a sharp intake of breath and she goes entirely still. She stares into the darkness of their bedroom, finally letting herself pant shallowly for a bit more air as she sinks back into his arms, trying to settle into the fact that she is very much not where her mind thought she was... "S-sorry... I'm sorry..."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Oof" Daniel exclaims the air rushing out of him as the elbow connects. He should have known better, after a second to catch his breath he shakes his head. "My fault for grabbing you like that," he assures Peggy in a good natured tone, rubbing at his ribs. "Are *you* okay? Another Framework dream?" he asks her softly, his expression one of sympathy.

Peggy Carter has posed:
After a few more rushed heartbeats in her ears, Peggy finally sinks back down into the bed, staring at the ceiling and the outline of his face instead of the darkness of the corner of their bedroom. He was definitely here. Everything smelled right. It all felt right. She was awake and as uncomfortable as she should be right now. She reaches one hand up, tracing over his cheek. "Oh hell... Sorry. I... yes. The worst bits. Realizing it's not real, trying to get out of the restraints... It's always the worst parts. Makes this..." She sighs, pressing her eyes tightly shut, "Makes something in my head not trust *this*."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel leans into the touch and then lifting her hand he presses a kiss to her palm offering further proof he was really here. "I can understand that, but I promise all of this is real, we're here in our new house and our new kid is a few weeks away from making their debut," he kisses her hand again. "You're safe Peg, you're home, and if what they put you through makes you doubt any of that I'll be here to help remind you this is the real world, this life we built, it's really real."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A bit more relaxation starts trickling through her body as he kisses her palm. Peggy knows this is real. It has to be. There are too many uncomfortable, not ideal details to make it real. She sighs, forcing herself to gently roll over in his direction. She doesn't want to be in her spot in the bed any more, damp with cold sweat and twisted sheets. "I know. I...I do. I know. And you've got to be tired of waking up like this. I'll...shake it. Somehow. I have to." She sounds as frustrated with herself as anything, but this late at night on this little sleep it's hard not to be frustrated.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel relaxes in turn as Peggy does, relief coming through him as he does. Shifting aside to give Peggy room to maneuver out of her sweat, he stretches out beside her turning so he can look her in the eyes. "Nah, I'm fine, just worried about you Peg, and mad as hell at HYDRA for putting you through this." He leans forward pressing a quick kiss to her lips, "And I know you'll shake this, and I'm going to be with you all the way, no matter how many time we wake up like this," he promises her with a smile. "Besides, we're going to be waking up a ton soon anyhow, so what's a few extra weeks of it to make sure you're doing alright."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A little groan escapes her lips as she considers that, shaking her head slowly, "ONE of us should be getting sleep... Almost caught up on sleep, going into this thing. You're right. We won't for ages soon." Peggy lets out a long breath, rubbing one hand against sore, distended side as she remains rolled and rested against him. She then picks her head up just enough to kiss his shoulder before she slowly pushes herself up into sitting. A moment later, she's swinging her legs off the bed. "I...I'm going to be up for a while. Go lay back down. Get some sleep."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel grins wryly "Sorry to be the one to remind you of that," he says about their upcoming lack of sleep. When she sits up so does Daniel. "You sure?" he asks her. "I could get up and make you some tea or something, keep you company." A beat and another wry grin, "I hear sleep is overrated anyhow."

Peggy Carter has posed:
A wry smirk is given in his direction and Peggy lets herself lean over just enough she can steal a kiss from his lips. "I'm sure. ONE of us should be getting some sleep, at least. I'm miserable company right now and there's no reason for me to keep you up. I love you. Get back to sleep. I'll come back to bed once I'm more... Settled. I promise." Peggy reassures him, the expression in her eyes truly wishing nothing more than for him to rest. She's then leaning up, starting the careful push of herself off the bed, before she waddles over to steal his robe and at least cover herself enough to go out into the house.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Okay fine," Daniel says smiling as his lips part from the kiss. Glancing to the clock he adds, "Though if I wake up in an hour and you're not here, I'm coming after you," he warns good naturedly as Peggy slips into his robe for warmth. "And my robe."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Deal. I love you." Peggy affirms to him from the frame of their door, just outlined in moonlight and shadow but the rounding of her frame and soft fall of her hair is clear. She lingers there a few heartbeats longer, just watching him, until she slips out into the night to walk the halls until her mind calms down.